====== géyán: 格言 - Maxim, Motto, Adage ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 格言, geyan, Chinese maxim, Chinese motto, Chinese proverb, adage in Chinese, what does geyan mean, famous Chinese sayings, Chinese philosophy, learning Chinese adages.
  * **Summary:** The Chinese term **格言 (géyán)** refers to a maxim, motto, or adage—a concise, insightful saying that serves as a guide for conduct or expresses a universal truth. Deeply rooted in China's rich literary and philosophical history, a **格言** is more than just a proverb; it's a piece of respected wisdom, often from a classical text or famous figure, used for education, self-cultivation, and adding weight to formal speech. Understanding **格言** is key to appreciating the cultural values placed on history, learning, and moral development in China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** géyán
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** A maxim, motto, or short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of a **格言 (géyán)** as a "rule for life" condensed into a single, powerful sentence. These aren't just folksy proverbs; they are formal, respected pieces of wisdom often quoted from ancient philosophers, scholars, or historical texts. People use a **格言** as a personal motto to guide their actions or as a tool in education to teach moral values. It carries a sense of authority, elegance, and timeless truth.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **格 (gé):** This character's core meaning is "standard," "rule," "pattern," or "style." It implies a framework or a model to follow, as seen in words like `资格 (zīgé)` (qualification) or `风格 (fēnggé)` (style).
  * **言 (yán):** This character simply means "word," "speech," or "to say." It is a pictograph of a mouth with a tongue sticking out.
  * When combined, **格言 (géyán)** literally translates to "standard words" or "words that serve as a rule." This perfectly captures the term's meaning: a saying that provides a standard for behavior or belief.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * A **格言 (géyán)** is a cornerstone of Chinese cultural literacy. Its importance stems from the immense value placed on history, education, and self-cultivation (`修身养性 xiūshēn yǎngxìng`). Many of the most famous **格言** originate from Confucian classics, Daoist texts, or the writings of revered historical figures. To quote a **格言** is not just to share a wise thought, but to align oneself with a 5,000-year-old tradition of wisdom and scholarship.
  * **Comparison to Western "Mottos":** In the West, a "motto" can be a personal creation, a line from a movie, or a phrase like "Carpe Diem." While these serve a similar purpose, a Chinese **格言** has a different cultural weight. It is almost never a personal invention. Its power comes from its recognized, historical source. Using a **格言** is an act of tapping into collective, time-tested wisdom rather than asserting individualistic insight. It reflects the cultural value of learning from the past and respecting the teachings of sages.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **In Education:** This is the most common context. School classroom walls are often decorated with calligraphy of famous **格言**. Students are required to memorize them and use them in their essays (`作文 zuòwén`) to demonstrate their knowledge and add depth to their writing.
  * **As a Personal Motto:** A **格言** is the most common choice for a `座右铭 (zuòyòumíng)`, or personal motto. An individual might write their favorite **格言** on a plaque for their desk or include it in their social media bio as a statement of their personal values.
  * **In Formal Settings:** In business meetings, academic lectures, or official speeches, using a relevant **格言** is a powerful rhetorical device. It makes the speaker sound educated, thoughtful, and authoritative.
  * **Formality:** **格言** is a formal, literary word. You would not typically use the word "格言" itself in casual, everyday conversation. However, you would frequently quote the sayings themselves.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 老师在黑板上写下了一条**格言**来鼓励我们。
    * Pinyin: Lǎoshī zài hēibǎn shàng xiě xiàle yītiáo **géyán** lái gǔlì wǒmen.
    * English: The teacher wrote a **maxim** on the blackboard to encourage us.
    * Analysis: This shows the typical use of **格言** in an educational context. The measure word for a saying or rule is `条 (tiáo)`.
  * **Example 2:**
    * “失败是成功之母”是我最喜欢的**格言**。
    * Pinyin: “Shībài shì chénggōng zhī mǔ” shì wǒ zuì xǐhuān de **géyán**.
    * English: "Failure is the mother of success" is my favorite **adage**.
    * Analysis: Here, a specific famous saying is identified as a **格言**. This is a very common structure.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 他的座右铭是一句古老的中国**格言**。
    * Pinyin: Tā de zuòyòumíng shì yījù gǔlǎo de Zhōngguó **géyán**.
    * English: His personal motto is an ancient Chinese **maxim**.
    * Analysis: This sentence links **格言** directly to the concept of a `座右铭 (zuòyòumíng)`, or personal motto. The measure word `句 (jù)` (sentence) can also be used.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这句**格言**教会了我要有耐心。
    * Pinyin: Zhè jù **géyán** jiàohuìle wǒ yào yǒu nàixīn.
    * English: This **maxim** taught me that I need to have patience.
    * Analysis: This highlights the function of a **格言**—to teach a lesson or impart wisdom.
  * **Example 5:**
    * “有志者，事竟成”这句**格言**给了我很大的力量。
    * Pinyin: “Yǒu zhì zhě, shì jìng chéng” zhè jù **géyán** gěile wǒ hěn dà de lìliàng.
    * English: The **maxim** "Where there is a will, there is a way" gave me great strength.
    * Analysis: Another example of quoting a famous **格言** and describing its personal impact.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 很多公司的墙上都挂着激励员工的**格言**。
    * Pinyin: Hěnduō gōngsī de qiáng shàng dōu guàzhe jīlì yuángōng de **géyán**.
    * English: Many companies have **maxims** that inspire employees hanging on their walls.
    * Analysis: Shows the use of **格言** in a corporate or motivational context, similar to a school.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他在演讲的结尾引用了一句**格言**，赢得了热烈的掌声。
    * Pinyin: Tā zài yǎnjiǎng de jiéwěi yǐnyòngle yījù **géyán**, yíngdéle rèliè de zhǎngshēng.
    * English: At the end of his speech, he quoted a **maxim** and won thunderous applause.
    * Analysis: Demonstrates the rhetorical power of using a **格言** in formal speech.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 这本书收集了很多关于学习的**格言**。
    * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū shōujíle hěnduō guānyú xuéxí de **géyán**.
    * English: This book has collected many **adages** about learning.
    * Analysis: A simple sentence showing how **格言** can be categorized by topic.
  * **Example 9:**
    * “知识就是力量”是一句全世界都认同的**格言**。
    * Pinyin: “Zhīshì jiùshì lìliàng” shì yījù quán shìjiè dōu rèntóng de **géyán**.
    * English: "Knowledge is power" is a **maxim** that the whole world agrees with.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses a Western maxim translated into Chinese, showing the term can also apply to non-Chinese sayings.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 理解这些**格言**的深层含义需要一定的文化背景。
    * Pinyin: Lǐjiě zhèxiē **géyán** de shēncéng hányì xūyào yīdìng de wénhuà bèijǐng.
    * English: Understanding the deep meaning of these **maxims** requires a certain cultural background.
    * Analysis: This sentence reflects on the nature of **格言** itself, pointing to its cultural depth.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`格言 (géyán)` vs. `成语 (chéngyǔ)`:** This is the most critical distinction for learners.
    * **`成语 (chéngyǔ)`** are four-character idioms, often with a backstory, that function like descriptive adjectives or adverbs. Ex: `画蛇添足 (huà shé tiān zú)` means "to ruin something by adding the superfluous." It describes an action; it doesn't give advice.
    * **`格言 (géyán)`** is a complete thought or sentence that gives advice or states a rule. Ex: `失败是成功之母 (shībài shì chénggōng zhī mǔ)`. While some **格言** can be four characters (e.g. `实事求是 shí shì qiú shì` - seek truth from facts), most **成语** are not **格言**.
    * **Incorrect Usage:** Saying "My favorite `成语` is 'failure is the mother of success'." This is wrong because the saying is a `格言`, not a `成语`.
  * **`格言 (géyán)` vs. `谚语 (yànyǔ)`:**
    * **`格言`** is formal, literary, and often from a named philosophical or classical source. It's considered "high culture."
    * **`谚语 (yànyǔ)`** (proverb) or `俗语 (súyǔ)` (common saying) is more colloquial and comes from folk wisdom. Ex: `一口吃不成个胖子 (yī kǒu chī bùchéng gè pàngzi)` - "You can't get fat with one bite," meaning "take things one step at a time." This is a `谚语`, not a `格言`. The tone is much more down-to-earth.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[成语]] (chéngyǔ)` - A four-character idiom. A `格言` states a rule; a `成语` typically describes a situation.
  * `[[座右铭]] (zuòyòumíng)` - A personal motto. A person's `座右铭` is very often a famous `格言`.
  * `[[名言]] (míngyán)` - A famous quote. This is a very close synonym. `名言` emphasizes the fame of the quote or speaker, while `格言` emphasizes the quote's function as a rule or standard to live by.
  * `[[谚语]] (yànyǔ)` - A proverb. More colloquial and rooted in folk wisdom than the more literary `格言`.
  * `[[俗语]] (súyǔ)` - A common saying or slang. Even more informal than a `谚语`.
  * `[[古训]] (gǔxùn)` - Ancient teachings or admonitions. A more archaic and formal term that heavily overlaps with `格言` from classical sources.
  * `[[道理]] (dàolǐ)` - Reason, principle, logic. A `格言` is valued because it contains a profound `道理`.
  * `[[修身养性]] (xiūshēn yǎngxìng)` - To cultivate one's moral character. This is the core cultural practice for which `格言` serve as essential tools.